Overhead door track



July 11, 1961 c. R. WOLF ETAL 2,991,496

OVERHEAD DOOR TRACK Filed July 22, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS-CECIL R. WOLF JOHN P. HOLLAND CHARLES E. SE\DEL July 11, 1961 c. R. WOLFETAL OVERHEAD DOOR TRACK 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 22, 1958 4 4 2/ A m4A 4 .9 a 2 4 5 a 7. 0 n M Y 4 U B 0 a I o "m 6 z 6 u 7 8 5 Q 8 w a I- Zg 6 P Q INVENTORS CECIL R. WOLF JOHN p- HOLLAND CHARLES E- SEIDEL fiM {WFiled July 22, 1958, Ser. No. 750,179 1 Claim. (Cl. 16-94) Thisinvention relates to overhead door track constructions and particularlyto" an improved track which can be formed into a compact bundle forstorage and shipment and thereafter more readily assembled andinstalled.

In general the track system for an overhead door such as an overheadsectional door for garages and the like comprises a long horizontaltrack section and a long vertical track section interconnected by acurved track section, the horizontal and vertical track sections beingdisposed at an angle of approximately 90 with respect to each other. Thevertical track section and the curved track section are secured to thefacing strip or jam adjacent to the door opening. The horizontal tracksection is connected to the curved track section and also suspended fromthe ceiling at the outer end. It is necessary that the track be sturdyin construction and substantially rigid since it must support and guidethe door States Patent as well as the spring and actuating mechanism toraise and lower the door.

In order to achieve the desired strength and rigidity, it has beencustomary heretofore to form the curved track section integral witheither the horizontal or the vertical track section and also rigidly tomount thereon the structural members necessary to mount the track on thevertically extending jamb. This structural unit was very bulky. Whenpackaging for shipment it was necessary to strap the vertical orhorizontal track section, as

2,991,496 Patented July 11,

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connection between the mounting bracket for the curved track section anda vertical track section, the connection being strong and constructed sothat the tongue is guided into proper position in the socket and willthereafter be firmly retained therein.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a tongue and socketconstruction as set forth above which is sufficiently strong whenassembled to support the curved track section and the mounting brackettherefor upon the upper end of the vertical track section withoutfurther fastening.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will bebetter understood from the following description when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings wherein likereference numerals have been utilized to designate like partsthroughout:

FIGURE 1 is a partial perspective view showing a track for an overheadsectional door, the track being made in accordance with and embodyingthe principles of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a sideelevational view with certain portions broken awayshowing the curved track section and the mounting bracket therefor;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged view with certain portions broken away showingthe tongue and socket connection between the mounting bracket for thecurved track section and the upper end of the vertical track section,the parts being shown in the position immediately prior '-'to insertionof the tongue in the socket;

FIGURE 4 is a side view of the parts of FIGURE 3 I after insertion ofthe tongue in the socket; and

the case may be which was not integral with the curved section to theabove described assembly. In addition a carton was needed to contain thenecessary hardware to mount the track system and to connect the otherparts with the associated door.

It also has been difiicult to handle the prior track structures duringinstallation due to the fact that the curved section is integral with inmost instances the horizontal track section. The installation requiredtwo men for rapid installation or in the alternative it required asubstantial amount of time for one man to make a satisfactoryinstallation.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improvedtrack structure for overhead door installations which can bedisassembled for storage and shipment to form a compact package andthereafter readily assembled to form a track structure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a track construction whichcan be disassembled to form a small inexpensive package which is compactand substantially smaller than the package for tracks availableheretofore.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a track structurewhich can be assembled quickly and efiiciently by a single workman witha minimum expenditure of eflort and time and thus at a minimum cost.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a track constructionof the type set forth which is more economical to manufacture and yetprovides a rigid and strong completed and assembled track construction.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improvedconnection between a curved track section and a vertical track sectiontogether with an improved structure to mount the curved track section onan associated jamb.

In connection with the foregoing object, it is another object of theinvention to provide a tongue and socket track section and the verticaltrack section substantially as seen in the direction of the arrows alongthe line 5-5 thereof.

Referring now to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, there is shown a trackconstruction generally designated by the numeral 10 which is made inaccordance with and embodies the principles of the present invention.The track 10 has been shown mounted on a facing strip or jamb 12adjacent to a door opening, the track structure 10 supporting anoverhead sectional door generally designated by the numeral 14. Theoverhead door 14 comprises a series of horizontally disposed sectionalpanels 16 hingedly interconnected by hinges 18. The outermostmost hinge18 carries an outwardly extending shaft 20 on the end of which isrotatably supported a roller (not shown) engageable in the track forminga part of the track structure 10.

The track structure 10 includes a vertical track section 22 and ahorizontal track section 24 interconnected by a curved track section26'. The three track sections 22, 24 and 26 together form a continuoustrack to receive the rollers on the axles 20 at one side of the door 14.A similar track and supporting structure is provided on the other sideof the door 14, but since the structure thereof is identical with theone shown in FIGURE 1, only one will be described in detail.

As will be seen also in FIGURE 2 of the drawings, the curved tracksection 26 is shown mounted on the jamb 12 by means of a bracketgenerally designated by the numeral 28 and including a verticallydisposed bracket member 30 and a horizontally disposed bracket member32. Each of the bracket members 30 and 32 is formed a of angle ironwhereby to impart rigidity thereto. One of the flanges 34 of the bracketmember 30 is apertured to receive bolts 36 to fasten the bracket member30 on the jamb 12, three of the bolts 36 having been shown for purposesof illustration. Extending outwardly from the bracket member 30. Fixedlysecured to the lower endof the flange 38 and extending outwardlytherefrom is a plate 40. The plate 40 is secured to the flange 38 bymeans of apair of rivets 42. As may be best seen in FIGURE 3 of thedrawings, the lower edge of the plate 40 is recessed or cut away as at44 to provide a downwardly extending tongue 46 having downwardly taperededges 48. Formed in the flange 38 adjacent to the upper end thereof isan aperture which receives therethrough a bolt 50 extending through arectangular opening 52 in an upstanding flange 54 of the bracket member30.

The curved track section 26 is bolted to the ends of the bracket members30 and 32 whereby to provide a rigid construction therewith. Morespecifically, the lower end of the curved track section 26 is providedwith a pair of square apertures which receive therethrough bolts 56having shallow flat heads 58 disposed within the track section 26 (seeparticularly FIGURE The threaded outer ends of the bolts 56 receive nuts60 which serve to interconnect the curved track section 26 and the plate40. The other end of the curved track section 26 is similarly providedwith a pair of square apertures which receive bolts 56 therethrough, thebolts 56 also extending through apertures in the flange 54 of thebracket member 32. Nuts 60 are provided to interconnect the bracketmember 32 and the curved track section 26.

Since each of the bracket members 30 and 32 is of angle iron shape andtherefore rigid, and further since the curved track section 26 is alsoangular in shape as may be best seen in FIGURE 5 whereby to render itrigid, the assembly of the bracket 28 and the curved track section 26 isin turn extremely rigid due to its basic triangular construction and therigidity of each of the members thereof. This imparts the necessarystrength to the assembly to support the various parts thereof and theoverhead door 14 together with the actuating mechanisms therefor.

The vertical track section 22 has a cross section substantially likethat of the curved track section 26 (see FIGURE 5) and serves as acontinuation thereof. Struck from the upper end of the vertical tracksection 22 is a pair of lugs 62 which are shaped in cross section asviewed in FIGURE 5 to provide an outwardly extending flange 64 and aninturned overlying flange 66. A web of material 68 is provided betweenthe openings formed by striking out the lugs 62 to serve as a guide forthe tongue 46 when it is inserted therein. The junction between theflange 64 and the wall of the track section 22 from which the lugs arestruck is tapered downwardly to conform to the taper of the edges 48 onthe tongue 46. Likewise the distance between the flanges 64and the lugs62 is such as to accommodate and receive the tongue 46 therebetween.After the tongue 46 has been inserted in the socket formed by the lugs62, the

V tapered shape of the tongue 46 cooperating with the sides of theflanges 66 form a tight fit to give rigidity to' the joint and tointerconnect the tongue 46 with the vertical track section 22. Inpractice it has been found that the joint so formed is suflicientlyrigid that it holds the assembly of the bracket members 30-32 and thecurved track section 26 in position on the vertical track section 22while the bolts 36 are being applied to mount the bracket member 30 onthe jamb 12. Therefore a single workman will be able to apply theseparts unaided.

Interconnection is made between the horizontal track section 24 and thebracket member 32. To this end the flange 54 of the bracket member 32 isprovided with an elongated slot 70 therein through which extends a bolt72. The bolt 72 also extends through an aligned aperture in one end ofthe horizontal track section 24. A nut 74 is provided on the bolt 72firmly to clamp the horizontal track section 24 to the flange 54. Thepresence of the slot 70 makes it possible to rest the outer end of the..horizontal track section 24 on the floor while assembling the bolt 72and the nut 74 on the flange 54. Thereafter u flange 34 and integraltherewith is a flange 38 on the the outer end of the horizontal tracksection 24 can be raised to approximately the proper position and theentire assembly slidably moved with respect to the slots until theadjacent ends of the horizontal track section 24 and the curved tracksection26 are in abutment. This will align a second pair of apertures inthe track 24 and the flange 54 through which is inserted a bolt 76receiving a nut 78. The insertion of the bolt 76 and the application ofthe nut 78 thereto fixedly positions the horizontal track section 24 andthe curved track section 26 relative to each other. Upon tightening ofthe nut 74 on the bolt 72, the assembly of the horizontal track sectionto the curved track section is completed.

The bracket 28 also carries the mechanism which aids in raising the door14 to the upper or overhead position. To this end a cable 80 has one endthereof attached to the door 14 and the other end thereof passes arounda pulley 82 and a pulley 84 and is attached to one end of a chain 86.The other end of the chain 86 is connected to a hook 87 formed on theflange 34. The pulley 82 is rotatably mounted on an axis 90 on an angleplate 92. The angle plate 92 extends above the vertically extendingflange 54 of the bracket member 32 and has connected to the lower endthereof a right angularly disposed flange 94. The flange 94 is suitablysecured to the flange 88 of the bracket member 32 by means of a pair ofrivets 96.

The pulley 84 is movable and is mounted on a shiftable shaft 98 which issupported by a yoke 100. "The yoke 100 connects with a spring 102 whichis under ten sion and is suitably affixed to the track at a point spacedtherealong. The tension in the spring 102 transmitted through thepulleys 82 and 84 and the cable 80 aids in raising the door 14 when itis unlatched and urged toward the open position.

The track structure of the invention is readily manufactured by standardmetal forming procedures. 'The shapes utilized are simple andsubstantially standard and can be readily assembled by the usual methodsof fabrication. After manufacture of the various parts, it is desired toassemble them into a package for storage and shipment. The bracket 28 isassembled by utilizing the bolt 50 pivotally to interconnect the bracketmembers 30 and 32. The bracket members 30 and 32 form a compact shapesince the bracket member 32 can be pivoted about the bolt 50 from theposition illustrated in FIGURE 2 of the drawings to a position inparallelism with and adjacent to the bracket member 30. This forms acompact unit even though the bracket 92 and the plate 40 are fixedlyattached to the bracket members 32 and 30, respectively. The curvedtrack section 26 is not yet attached to the bracket 28 and thereforeforms a relatively compact unit also. The horizontal and vertical tracksections 24 and 22 being straight occupy substantially little volumeexcept their length. Accordingly, two entire tracks needed to mount thedoor 14 can be readily assembled into a package whichtogether with allthe necessary hardware including bolts and the like occupies a volumeapproximately 7 feet long by 8 /2 inches wide by 3 /2 inches deep.Accordingly, this package or bundle can be very readily handled andstored and transported in a very small volume. The straight lengths ofthe track 22 and 24 provide stiffness for the entire package.

At the point of installation, the installer removes the pieces of thetrack from the package. First the vertical track section 22 is installedin the proper position. Next the curved track section 26 is assembledwith the bracket members 30 and 32. Since the bolt 50 is already inposition, the installer need only place the bracket members 30 and 32 inthe position illustrated in FIGURE 2. The curved track section 26 isnext assembled thereto by means of the bolts 56 and nuts 60. Thisprovides a rigid subassembly which can be handled as a unit. Ncxtthetongue 46 is firmly inserted in the socket formed by the lugs 62. Thetapered sides of the tongue 48 together with the tapered edges of thelugs 62 and the presence of'the guide 68 serve to make this insertion asimple matter for one installer. The joint formed by the tongue 46, thelugs 62 and the guide 68 hold the subassembly of the curved tracksection 26 and the bracket member 30-32 in position while the bolts 36are driven into the jamb 12. As a result a single installer can handlethis unit and place it in proper position for attachment to the jamb 12.

Next the horizontal track section 24 has one end thereof placed upon theground and the bolts 70 inserted through the apertures spaced from theother end thereof and the bolt further inserted through the elongatedaperture 70 in the flange 54. A single workman can readily perform thisjob. When the nut 74 has been threaded 0n the bolt 72, the outer end ofthe horizontal track section 24 is then raised from the ground toapproximately the proper position and the horizontal track section 24moved to the left as viewed in FIGURE 2 whereby to place the adjacentends of the horizontal track section 24 and the curved track section 26in abutment. This aligns a pair of apertures in the horizontal tracksection 24 and the flange 54 whereby to permit the insertion of the bolt76. After threading the nut 78 on the bolt 76 and tightening the nut 74upon the bolt 72, the horizontal track will remain in the horizontalposition while it is properly aligned at 90 degrees to the header andthe outer end rigidly supported and braced.

Next the pulleys 82 and 84 are mounted together with the spring 102 andthe yoke 100 whereby to receive the cable 80. After attachment of thecable 80 and the insertion of the rollers on the door 14 in the tracks,the installation is completed.

Although one preferred form of the invention has been described andshown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, it is to beunderstood that various changes and modifications can be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only as set forth in thefollowing claim.

We claim:

A track structure for mounting an overhead door on a verticallyextending support adjacent to a door opening comprising a horizontaltrack section, a vertical track section adapted to be mounted on saidsupport, a curved track section, a bracket including horizontal andvertical bracket members, means for detachably interconnecting saidhorizontal and vertical bracket members adjacent one end of each, meansfor detachably connecting the curved track section to the horizontalbracket member inward from but adjacent to the other end thereof, aplate mounted on the lower end of said vertical bracket member, saidplate having an integral tongue extending downwardly therefrom at itsinner end, means for detachably connecting said plate to the curvedtrack section at the lower end thereof, said vertical track sectionhaving a socket formed therein adjacent its upper end and shaped toreceive and rigidly engage said tongue to connect the lower end of saidcurved track section to and in alignment with the upper end of saidvertical track section, means for detachably mounting the verticalbracket memher on said support, and means for detachably connecting oneend of said horizontal track section to said horizontal bracket memberat said other end thereof in abutment with and in alignment with theupper end of said curved track section, said means for detachablyinterconnecting the horizontal and vertical bracket members includingmeans pivotally interconnecting said members at the ends opposite theends attached to the curved track section to permit ready folding ofsaid bracket members into a compact package prior to installation, themeans for connecting said bracket members to said curved track sectionand to the horizontal track section all being readily removable.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,026,091 Johnson et a1. Dec. 31, 1935 2,271,309 Rowe Ian. 27, 19422,534,641 Veigel --l--r---- Dec. 19, 1950

